The archbishop of New York keeps religious freedom in the news while modeling Christian charity at the Al Smith Dinner.

NEW YORK — “Our two candidates claim that both your parties, the Republicans and the Democrats, are ‘big tents,’ containing extraordinarily diverse, even contrary, opposite people and groups,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan noted Oct. 18 at the Al Smith Dinner. “Well, you don’t have a thing over the Catholic Church. We got both Biden and Ryan!” Dolan continued.

The 67th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, raising money for Catholic charities, enjoyed its most successful year, with 1,640 people in attendance, at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. The event raised $5 million for the likes of the Good Counsel Homes for young mothers in need and the New York Foundling Vincent J. Fontana Center for Child Protection.

Cardinal Dolan flew in from the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization in Rome for what has become an oftentimes controversial political tradition.

In the spirit of the roast-like nature of the fundraising dinner, the cardinal’s light-handed “big tent” remark met with guffaws, but his words were also a bit loaded. For the first time in history, both national parties’ presidential tickets include Roman Catholics: Joe Biden, running for re-election with President Barack Obama, and Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., running as the Republican vice-presidential nominee with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

On the very day that Catholics marked the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the opening of Year of Faith, the two Catholic vice-presidential candidates debated in Kentucky at the only vice-presidential debate. They were asked to explain their views on abortion in light of their shared Catholic faith. They provided extraordinarily diverse, even contrary, views: Biden relegating his faith on the issue of the protection of the most innocent human life to his personal life; Ryan explaining its influence on his entire life. Perhaps nothing more prominent in U.S. culture could cry out for the need of the Year of Faith, 365 days dedicated to relearning just what it is Catholics believe.

The elephant in the room at the Al Smith Dinner, that did not go unmentioned by at least two of the lead speakers, was a lawsuit. The archbishop of New York, Cardinal Dolan, the traditional host of the charity dinner, is currently a plaintiff in a religious-freedom case against the Obama administration’s Department of Health and Human Services.

“The president has put his own stamp on relations with the Church. There have been some awkward moments,” Romney said.

“Like when the president pulled Pope Benedict aside to share some advice on how to deal with his own critics,” Romney joked. “He said, ‘Look, Holy Father, whatever the problem is just blame it on Pope John Paul II.’”

The Republican presidential candidate was, of course, referring to the current administration’s tendency to blame President Obama’s predecessor for its own failings.

Romney then quickly pivoted to a jovial reminder about the religious-freedom controversy driven by the Obama administration’s mandate that requires Catholic and other religious institutions as well as private business owners who object on religious grounds to include abortion-drugs, contraception and sterilization in their insurance policies. “Of course, the president has found a way to take the sting out of the Obamacare mandates for the Church,” Romney continued. “From now on they’re going to be in Latin.”

And focusing on what can unite Americans despite differing creeds, backgrounds and politics, Cardinal Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, took it upon himself to assume that those gathered were “grateful to be people of faith and loyal Americans, loving a country which considers religious liberty our first and most cherished freedom, convinced that faith is not just limited to an hour of Sabbath worship, but affects everything we do and dream.”

“If I only sat down with people who agreed with me, and I with them, or with those who were saints, I’d be taking all my meals alone,” Cardinal Dolan tweeted Thursday, obviously in reference to controversy over the dinner invitation to the president, given the educational campaign the Catholic bishops have been leading about religious liberty, among people worried that the playful dinner would obscure the fundamental moral issues before voters this November. This echoed a plea he made in an interview with me for National Review Online: “Please don’t be confused. Please know that simply to pray with somebody, simply to have a meal with somebody, simply to be friendly to somebody doesn’t mean that we are endorsing them or agreeing with them.”

Romney seemed to join that spirit: “In our country, you can oppose someone in politics and make a confident case against their policies without any ill will, and that’s how it is for me. There’s more to life than politics.” At the dinner, both candidates seemed to genuinely express respect for one another as men, husbands and fathers.

Yet amidst the jocular mood of the event, differences between the candidates remained clear — and not just on the topic of religious freedom, but also on the dignity of the most innocent human life.

Near the end of his remarks, Romney paid tribute to the work of the New York Archdiocese, the Al Smith Foundation and Catholic charities: “No matter which way the political winds are blowing, that work goes on, day in day out, by this organization and you.”

He went on to say: “You answer with calm and willing hearts and service to the poor and care for the sick, in defense (of) the rights of conscience and in solidarity with the innocent child waiting to be born. You strive to bring God's love … (to) every life.”

Romney’s reference to both the HHS mandate and abortion was not a tribute the president could join him in, given his administration’s policy. Instead, the president offered these words to his hosts: “In all seriousness, I couldn't be more honored to be here this evening. I'm honored to be here with leaders of both the private and public sectors and particularly the extraordinary work that is done by the Catholic Church.”

With Catholics in swing states having a potential for deciding the next president, the decision to invite both candidates to the dinner was greeted by concern from some and welcome by others.

Did the laughter confuse Catholics and other voters at a pivotal moment before a presidential election?

Or was the evening an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the issue of religious freedom and show the crucial contribution religious organizations and the Catholic Church in particular and historic ways bring to civil society through service and charity?

The verdict is still out, as the journey is ongoing.

In his closing remarks, Cardinal Dolan hit upon a theme of his: “Joy is the infallible sign of God’s presence.” He challenged all to live in that joy, always remembering it is “in God we trust,” including in discerning our own role in the lives of those most in need, “not, ultimately, in government or politics.”

Comments

As long as dissent is allowed to flourish in Christ’s Church, many will continue to be led astray through the wide and easy gate that leads to destruction. I respectfully request Pope Benedict XVI restore the Charitable Anathema for the sake of Christ, His Church, all who will come to believe, and those prodigal sons and daughters, who hopefully, will return to The Fold, including those prodigal sons and daughters who have left His Church spiritually, but remain within His Church physically, causing chaos and confusion, while leading many astray. The Great Apostasy due to a false ecumenism, began at the top, but hopefully, Pope Benedict XVI will have the courage to declare there is only One Spirit of Perfect Love Between The Father and His Only Son, The One Word of God, and thus there can be no division in The One Body of Christ.
Pray for Christ’s Church , and “Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ”.

Posted by Sheryl W. on Monday, Oct 22, 2012 5:37 PM (EDT):

STOP GIVING TO CATHOLIC CHARITIES NOW! If your bishop has not spoken out clarrifying both Biden’s and Ryan’s errors in the Vice-Presidential debate, then do not give when they ask for money and explain that you will not support them if they do not teach the Truth. If your priest has not spoken explaining that abortion is not permissible in cases of rape, incest or life of the mother than reconsider what you are dropping in the collection plate. MONEY is the only thing that many of the bishops and priests understand.

Posted by dm on Monday, Oct 22, 2012 5:34 PM (EDT):

called Cardinal Dolan’s office
the woman didn’t seem to write down my msg, although assured me he would get the msg. ???

in any case - I’m hoping a call = a Catholic Voice
she did say they rec’d thousands of calls

Please call.

I haven’t yet finished reading all the comments here, those I read——many thanks, thought I was alone in my thinking. I will finish reading all of them.

God bless you!
May God Bless us with His intercession in this coming election.

Posted by CeCi Castillo on Monday, Oct 22, 2012 4:09 PM (EDT):

OMG I can’t believe that there are so many self-righteous Catholics on this board who think they have a one way ticket to heaven by judging who is a good Catholic and who isn’t. One idiot didn’t do his homework and labeled Harry Reid as a pro-choice Catholic who happens to be Mormon. You self righteous, holier than though “Catholic” better be careful what you say about Nancy Pelosi, Kathleen Sebelius, Joe Biden and Barack Obama because they might be the ones who enter heaven and you will see the gates of hell.

Posted by CeCi Castillo on Monday, Oct 22, 2012 3:58 PM (EDT):

@ DJ Hesselius. You called Harry Reid a Pro-Choice Catholic. You need to do some research before you spout off. Harry Reid is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. He’s a Mormon just like Mitt Romney.

Posted by dm on Monday, Oct 22, 2012 3:19 PM (EDT):

p.s. I don’t know what the alternative would be ie. maybe push the event up until after the Election - with words of concern due to the state this country is in - Cardinal Dolan is a very, smart man - certainly he could find the appropriate words.
Regarding the Memorial Foundation - if the President wins the election - does that in any way effect how this foundation uses it’s money? It’s a question left in my mind.

May God be with us!

Posted by dm on Monday, Oct 22, 2012 3:12 PM (EDT):

I went through C-span to find the complete video & NCR came up in the search. Truthfully I didn’t realize to look here, this was not a coincidence. Previously, I sat and thought about the ‘good’ the event will do yet at this time, a time in history when the Catholic Church is vigorously fighting - our government - this President’s Healthcare Plan, I fear it sends a horribly wrong message.

Many Catholics don’t understand and they are going to vote for this President.

This event is getting alot of coverage, the message it sends will help the President - since so many Catholics do not truly understand this President and the vision he has for our country. No matter the teachings Cardinal Dolan mentioned in his speech.

I do respect Cardinal Dolan, yet when Jesus sat with sinners it wasn’t to raise money for the needy it was to convert their hearts.

Many comments here express my thoughts and I can’t do better than what many of you have said…

EK…I haven’t gone to Catholics for America and think I’ll pass as it likely will be too upsetting. T.Y. for your articulate post.

Thank many of you for standing up—- it seems there are times it is ‘we’ the people of the Catholic Church that need to speak up -

The Biden remark I need to repeat as others have, is an insult to Catholic teachings. I was shocked to say the least.

Thank you to Archbishop Lori and all those who have been fighting hard for the Church, for the unborn, for the future of our Church and all Christian faiths.

Posted by Bob Rowland on Monday, Oct 22, 2012 3:10 PM (EDT):

It is an unconscionable far cry from the truth to say that both parties have practicing Catholics running for election. Has Biden been released from his automatic excommunication for running in the last Presidential election? No one can tell him what to believe, but God may surely tell him where to go.

Posted by MR on Monday, Oct 22, 2012 1:27 PM (EDT):

Obama quoted at the dinner from the Bible that “tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance character, and character hope.”

Well, Obama is about to provide us with the needed “tribulation” if we should be gullible enough to vote for him. Isn’t that sooo thoughtful of him!

Posted by MR on Monday, Oct 22, 2012 12:50 PM (EDT):

Biden is no longer Catholic, neither for that matter is Nancy Peolsi or Katheleen Sebelius. Isn’t it interesting that Obama has surrounded himself with fallen away Catholics! He is trying to send a message “this is the face of the Catholic Church”.
It’s up to us to participate in the New Evangelization, in our homes, our places of work and our social life and to live our faith as Christ has called us to do. We may be the only Catholic someone will ever meet.

Posted by Nancy D. on Monday, Oct 22, 2012 8:29 AM (EDT):

“We got both Biden and Ryan.”
Although it is true that we are sinners, those who deny a sin is a sin, or deny an element of truth that must be believed with Divine and Catholic Faith (Catholic Canon 750), no longer abide in The Word of God and thus are no longer followers of The Christ, The Son of The Living God.

The question is, why does Cardinal Dolan believe one can continue to reside in The Catholic Church physically, when they have left Christ’s Church spiritually, unless he believes there is room in the big “tent” for dissenters who desire to create a god in their own image in violation of God’s Commandment regarding the worshipping of false idols. Pray, and never cease Praying, for the sake of Christ, His Church, and all who will come to believe in The Only Word of God, as well as those prodigal sons and daughters, who hopefully, will see the Light and return to His One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, during this Time of Great Apostasy.

Posted by EK on Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 10:24 PM (EDT):

“We got both Biden and Ryan.” Biden should be excommunicated, not praised by any leader in the Church. The Cardinal missed a great opportunity to challenge Obama supporters who don’t want to be reminded that Obama’s policies are immeasurably evil and in opposition to the Magisterium. All he had to do was rescind the invitation. Go to the “Catholics for Obama” website and look at their spin on the dinner. Thank the Cardinal for the many Catholic-a-la-Biden votes going to Obama.

At least we have brave bishops like Bishop Paprocki, who has stated that you are complicit in evil if you support a politician who advances it.

Posted by Simon Ingerling on Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 8:37 PM (EDT):

Dolan says that we have both Ryan and Biden. Not really - Biden left.

Posted by Peter E. Dans on Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 7:24 PM (EDT):

Hi Kathryn:
I was one of those concerned about the invitation to the president to attend the Al Smith dinner. It turned out to be another winner for Govrnor Romney. He was poised, articulate and genuinely funny. He hit all the high points while remaining affable. He poked fun at himself without being self-absorbed as the president was. The latest head-to-head appearances have showcased the real Romney not the one portrayed in the Democratic Party ads and the real Obama not the one portrayed by his mainstream media acolytes.
Best,
Peter
P.S. What were Katie Couric and Chris Matthews doing on the dais? Is this the doing of the Cardinal’s and USCCB Democratic leaning staffers? Couln’t they find some real Catholics?

Posted by mary keenan on Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 7:11 PM (EDT):

I truly believe that there is no such thing as a Catholic voting block any more.

Posted by TG on Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 6:10 PM (EDT):

Joe Biden is a Catholic? Too bad Cardinal Dolan thinks he is. Let us pray for the Cardinal and all bishops and clergy.

Posted by Manfred on Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 1:43 PM (EDT):

“Well you don’t have a thing on the Catholic Church. We got both Biden and Ryan.” This was said by Cdl. Dolan in response to the comment that the Democrats and Republicans are “big tents”. Actually Catholicism has only ” the narrow gate and the difficult road which leads to eternal life and few there are who find it.” I would be very wary of anyone who told you otherwise.

Posted by MR on Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 11:54 AM (EDT):

The evening certainely went much better then I thought it would. I loved the opportunity Romney had to score points on many of the issues we care about in a lighthearted yet unmistakably well directed and clear manner and without any interruptions from a so-called “moderator”.

Posted by Scott on Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 11:30 AM (EDT):

Joe Biden, a Catholic? Now that is REALLY funny! Few have done more to sow confusion and bring grave scandal on the Church.

Posted by Nancy D. on Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 11:27 AM (EDT):

It appears The Elephant in The Room, was the failure to address the personal and relational essence of the human person, created in The Image of God, equal in Dignity, while being complementary as male and female, to reflect Love. The line has been drawn in the sand between those who respect God’s intention for Marriage and The Family, as a call to Holiness, as we live our lives in Loving communion with God, from The Beginning, as husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters…, and those who claim we are called to live our lives in relationship as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, transsexual, polysexual…, as objects of sexual desire, in direct violation of God’s own Commandment, regarding lust and the sin of adultery. At this hour it is late, but not too late for us to decide, are you with Him or against Him?

Posted by Nancy D. on Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 11:13 AM (EDT):

Let us not forget that whenever Jesus spent time with sinners, it was always His desire to transform them, not because His desire was to agree to disagree. Those who use Judas as an example of Jesus dining with sinners, fail to recognize that Jesus Was already known to many of the “High Priests”. Judas still had the free will to change his mind, just as Peter did.

Posted by David Gonzales on Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 9:28 AM (EDT):

I am also confused with the question on abortion, on incest, I think it does’t make least of a baby all human life should be protected no matter what.

“If I only sat down with people who agreed with me, and I with them, or with those who were saints, I’d be taking all my meals alone,” Cardinal Dolan tweeted Thursday
SO, TIM DOLAN, YOU GAVE THE BABY KILLER-IN-CHIEF A GREAT PHOTO OP BECAUSE YOU’RE LONLEY. PATHETIC! DID YOU SEE THE PICS ON YOUR OWN FB PAGE? EXACTLY WHAT OBAMA/BIDEN & DEM CAMPAIGN WANTED SINCE BIDEN SAID IN THE VP DEBATE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE OBAMA ADMIN ARE JUST HONKEY-DORY, FORGETTING THE CATHOLIC CHURCH LAWSUIT AGAINST OBAMACARE. HOPE HIS HOLINESS SEES WHO YOU’RE PALLING AROUND WITH FOR A FEW CHEAP BUCKS.

“Please don’t be confused. Please know that simply to pray with somebody, simply to have a meal with somebody, simply to be friendly to somebody doesn’t mean that we are endorsing them or agreeing with them.”
TOO LATE! WHAT WILL THE CHILDREN OF NYC THINK WHEN THEY SEE YOU YUCKING IT UP WITH OBAMA? HIDE THE NEWSPAPERS, PARENTS! THE CARDINAL IS SENDING MIXED MESSAGES. NOTHING ABOUT THAT NIGHT WAS SIMPLE. TIM DOLAN, YOU ARE SIMPLE.OBAMA MADE YOU LOOK LIKE A FOOL FOR SURE.
I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR YOU AND THAT THE HOLY FATHER REPLACES YOU WITH SOMEONE WHO WILL NOT TRADE HIS INTEGRITY AND THE INTEGRITY OF HIS FLOCK FOR A WARM BODY TO SIT NEXT TO AT MEAL TIME AND A FEW BUCKS AT A WHOO-HOO FUNDRAISER.
let’s see if this gets posted. JMJ+

Posted by sflory on Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 9:36 PM (EDT):

With due respect I object to the Cardinal’s comment that the Church is a big tent allowing divergent views such as Biden and Ryan. The Church needs to establish who are pracrising and who are fallen away Catholics. Otherwise we will have two Catholic Churches in name only. The statement implies an equivalece between both individuals. This is a new brand of Catholicism to me. Biden is a fallen-away Catholic who has expressed a rejection of the Church’s teaching on abortion. A Catholic who rejects a Church’s teaching is a self accused heretic which denies him union with Holy Communion. Ryan is a practising Catholic who is a participating Church member in good standing. I don’t understand how a Catholic Cardinal can make such a statement of equality. Ryan should be insulted by this statement. According to the Magisterium of the Church Catholics are prohibitted from supporting a candidate who promotes an intrinsically evil act such as abortion. I am sure the Cardinal knows this but wants to appear as a “good Joe” to the public. After his recent loss with Governor Cuomo using his easy approach to negotiations, he should concetrate on improving this aspect of his functions and realize the Church is at war with many of his companions.

Posted by Dave Rusch on Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 7:23 PM (EDT):

So sorry - charity is shown by telling the fallen that they are in need of repentance. Laughing and joking with the pro-death BO is not a charitable act, it is an awful slap in the face of faithful Catholics everywhere and a source of scandal. If you want to meet the pro-death president do it in private and admonish him for supporting the killing of 50 million of God’s babies.

Posted by chris rowland on Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 6:52 PM (EDT):

This country was always vigorously divided in terms of religion… Catholics, Puritans, Baptists… etc etc. Our success and freedom resulted from our ability to sit down together and work things out, and I think this dinner contributes to that ability.

It helps keep our inter-religious relations from disintegrating as they have in other parts of the world, like in Iraq.

Posted by Linda Ill on Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 5:17 PM (EDT):

First of all, I wish Cardinal Dolan would explain his comment, “If I only dined with those who agree with me, I’d be dining alone”, in regard to his disinviting HIMSELF to a Wisconsin pro-life banquet in which Judie Brown of the American Life League, was the keynote speaker. He stated that he would not share a table with Mrs. Brown because of her “denigrating” of American bishops who refuse to implement Canon 915 which prohibits publicly pro-abortion and pro-sodomy politicians from receiving Holy Communion.

So pro-infanticide, pro-sodomite “marriage”, Catholic-persecuting Barack Obama is more acceptable to Cdl. Dolan than passionately pro-life, Eucharist-defending Catholic Judie Brown???? Is this the state to which the Catholic hierarchy has descended?

Yes, Jesus dined with sinners. But did He dine with Herod? I have never been so disappointed in a Catholic bishop as I have been in Cardinal Dolan. I expect cowardice from the likes of Cardinal Wuerl, et al, but Timothy Dolan?? Simply unbelievable.

Posted by DJ Hesselius on Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 4:00 PM (EDT):

“Our two candidates claim that both your parties, the Republicans and the Democrats, are ‘big tents,’ containing extraordinarily diverse, even contrary, opposite people and groups,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan noted Oct. 18 at the Al Smith Dinner. “Well, you don’t have a thing over the Catholic Church. We got both Biden and Ryan!” Dolan continued.

Well, guess that settles it. Not sure what else can be said: Biden (Pelosi, Reid, and all those other “pro-choice” Catholics) are Catholics in good standing.

Not sure how Dolan can credibly fight against the contraception mandate after that remark.

Posted by Kathleen Wagner on Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 1:37 PM (EDT):

“Please don’t be confused. Please know that simply to pray with somebody, simply to have a meal with somebody, simply to be friendly to somebody doesn’t mean that we are endorsing them or agreeing with them.”

Cardinal Dolan, we’re not confused at all. Hundreds of thousands of American Catholics know precisely what you did. You gave the most pro-abortion president in history exactly what he wanted, which was video of himself being gladhanded by a grinning Prince of the Church. Either you’re excused from blame because you aren’t capable of grasping that very elementary fact, or you’re grossly at fault and should be ashamed of yourself.

Join the Discussion

We encourage a lively and honest discussion of our content. We ask that charity guide your words.
By submitting this form, you are agreeing to our discussion guidelines.
Comments are published at our discretion. We won’t publish comments that lack charity, are off topic, or are more than 400 words.
Thank you for keeping this forum thoughtful and respectful.